Chapter 266: A Passerby in the Mortal World (Double-Length Chapter)

Longevity, yet without the strength to match it, only leaves behind regret.

Lin Chao watched Yusu's figure disappear into the courtyard.

Nowadays, he is lingering in the No Leak Realm; what he must do is break through to the Innate Realm, for only then will he have the ability to protect himself.

Half a year later, Xiao Jing returned, and she had undergone many changes since she left.

She wore a pale blue gauze dress, a strand of dark hair hung to her chest, and the youthful awkwardness in her eyes had faded, revealing hints of charm.

Dimples appeared on her cheeks, and her smile was like peach blossoms in spring.

"Uncle, Sister Yusu has become the Sacred Maiden of the Holy Light Sect!"

The water in the kettle began to boil, steaming hot; Lin Chao moved the kettle away, a look of slight surprise on his face.

"Congratulations to Yusu."

Lin Chao had not expected that Yusu would become the Sacred Maiden of the Holy Light Sect.

"Uncle, Sister Yusu said that since she has just entered the Holy Light Sect and has no one she trusts by her side, she hopes Uncle can go to Yangyue Prefecture to help her out." Xiao Jing's brows were filled with smiles.

How could she not understand Sister Yusu's intentions?

However, she also wanted her uncle to go to Yangyue Prefecture to accomplish great things, rather than remain hidden in this small village.

Lin Chao smiled: "In the Holy Light Sect, I can only be considered an outsider."

"Now that Yusu has become the Sacred Maiden and you have someone to look after you, I can be free of worries and focus on seeking the peak of Martial Arts."

The Innate Realm is what Lin Chao pursues.

"Uncle, the Holy Light Sect has many experts."

"The Saint King is even the number one expert and number one genius of today."

"In just five years, he went from an ordinary person to the Innate Realm."

"If Uncle joins the Holy Light Sect, your strength will surely improve quickly."

Xiao Jing did not give up and continued to persuade him.

However, she also knew that once her uncle had decided on something, it was difficult to change it.

Lin Chao's eyes held a smile.

The Saint King, that is, the Holy Light Sect's Sheng Guang Laozu, truly has strong talent for Martial Arts.

Rising from humble beginnings to reach the Innate Realm took only five years.

Such talent is terrifying.

Of course, the Holy Light Sect also has other geniuses.

If talent were divided into top-tier, superior, middle, and lower, Lin Chao's talent, placed in this Jianghu, would only count as middle-to-upper.

Without a doubt, only Sheng Guang Laozu can be called top-tier.

However, Lin Chao has various medicinal formulas that reduce lifespan, which is why his talent barely squeezed into the superior category.

The next day, Xiao Jing left Liu Family Village with a sense of disappointment.

She carried dreams in her heart, wanting to accomplish a great career.

In the days that followed, Xiao Jing returned one more time.

Afterwards, she never returned again.

However, people from Yangyue Prefecture would often come to deliver a letter or bring some words to Lin Chao.

Time is like clouds and smoke.

Two years passed.

Liu Family Village also underwent many changes.

The wife Liu Feng married gave birth to a big, chubby boy.

Liu Xi returned drunk one time and rolled into a mountain stream; although he saved his life, he was plagued by injuries and did not survive the winter.

Birth, aging, sickness, and death are fixed fates for mortals.

Even more things happened in Yangyue.

The Sacred Maiden Yusu personally led eighty thousand elite troops, pointed directly at Lu Province, and took Lu Province after a three-month siege.

On the other side of the Daxing, the General of Heavenly Strategy, Ye Hen, who had once ambushed Sheng Guang Laozu, also died of his severe wounds.

The power of the Holy Dynasty grew even greater, pressing directly toward the capital of the Daxing Kingdom.

"Once the river water thaws, Xiao Jing and Yusu will return to Yangyue Prefecture, right?"

Lin Chao looked at the icicles hanging from the branches, which were gradually melting under the sunlight and dripping onto the ground.

"I should leave too, to break through to the Innate Realm in peace."

Lin Chao let out a sigh.

Now that his No Leak has tended toward perfection, he should pursue the breakthrough to the Innate Realm.

He looked at the courtyard behind him, closed the door, and his figure vanished.

……

Outside Yangyue Prefecture.

Warhorses trotted lightly, and the whole city was draped in red silk.

At a glance, there was no end to the steeds and soldiers.

Yusu wore white armor, her temperament extraordinary.

Xiao Jing was beaming with joy, looking heroic and spirited.

"Sister Yusu, this time we return victorious, and the Sheng Guang Ten Departments will all be under your command."

The Holy Light Sect has a total of ten departments.

These ten departments are the foundation of the Holy Light Sect and the source of confidence for the Holy Dynasty to stand tall and confront the Daxing.

Only when Yusu masters the ten divisions can she truly control the Holy Light Sect and become the one person below the Saint King and above ten thousand in the Holy Dynasty.

Yusu's eyes were cold and clear; the fragility from before had vanished, and she nodded slightly.

Beside her, the Confucian scholar in black robes wore a hearty smile: "With the combined strength of the ten divisions, this world will eventually belong to the Holy Dynasty."

"The greatest credit for this belongs to the General alone." Yusu's voice was as cold as a frigid spring, carrying a faint sense of detachment.

The young man in scholar's attire before her was Su Yuchun, the Chang Sheng General of the Holy Dynasty.

Su Yuchun deserved the primary credit for capturing Lu Province this time.

Su Yuchun wore a confident expression, yet as he caught sight of Yusu's profile, a flicker of imperceptible disappointment crossed his eyes.

Nearby, Xiao Jing said softly: "Sister Yusu, come over here, I have something to tell you."

The coldness on Yusu's face vanished, her gaze becoming soft and gentle as she rode her horse over.

"Sister Yusu, you have now truly gained a firm foothold in the Holy Dynasty.

Why not send someone to bring my uncle to Yangyue Prefecture?"

Xiao Jing lowered her voice, her face filled with joy.

"Going against his wishes like this... wouldn't that be bad?" Yusu hesitated, her previous composure gone, appearing just like a child.

"Sister Yusu, you are now the Sacred Maiden, and my uncle is a subject of the Holy Dynasty; is he not under your jurisdiction?

Besides, my uncle is only at Refining Strength, and after mastering the ten divisions, you will have Refining Strength experts by the handful.

If my uncle is unwilling, just have him tied up and brought to Yangyue Prefecture." Xiao Jing wore a cunning smile.

Yusu hesitated, a flush of red creeping onto her face, and she finally nodded slowly: "Alright."

Not far away, a man in red armor bumped into Su Yuchun: "Staring at the Sacred Maiden again?"

Su Yuchun sighed inwardly: "Everyone appreciates beauty; I am looking openly, so how can it be considered staring?"

"The Sacred Maiden seems to have long had someone in her heart," the man in red armor remarked. "Indeed, the one closest to the water enjoys the moonlight first."

Su Yuchun pulled on his reins, his speed suddenly increasing: "I am not interested in the Sacred Maiden; I am only interested in the person in the Sacred Maiden's heart."

The man in red armor had a complex look, his eyes filled with envy: "The Sacred Maiden is the disciple of the Saint King; whoever marries the Sacred Maiden will possess the future of this world.

An outsider, what right or ability does he have to reap the rewards?"

Three days later.

In Yangyue Prefecture, Yusu returned from the Holy Palace, heavy with fatigue.

She still found it difficult to digest what her master had told her.

She felt that the responsibility on her shoulders had suddenly become much heavier.

She felt a bit of longing for the days of the past. Back in Liu Family Village, she was carefree, needing to consider nothing, with Xu Ye behind her.

By now, should Xu Ye have been brought back by her subordinates?

Thinking of this, a flicker of joy crossed Yusu's eyes, and the fatigue from just before dissipated quite a bit.

"Sister Yusu." Xiao Jing walked over, a look of disappointment on her face.

"Xu Ye, he..." Yusu felt a bit anxious in her heart.

"My uncle, he left Liu Family Village a month ago; I don't know where he went." Xiao Jing was extremely dejected.

"Sigh." Yusu sighed in her heart, but remembering what her master had told her, she wore a regretful smile: "This is for the best."

At least, she would bear everything herself.

She had not dragged Xu Ye into this.

After all, the responsibility of the Holy Light Sect was to bury the old era.

This was a mission, and also the way of Heaven and Earth.

"Innate... is this the Innate Realm?"

Lin Chao sat beneath the waterfall, letting the water wash over his body.

Just now, the Thunder Cloud Leg Technique had been cultivated to the Ultimate.

His Qi and blood were full, nearly overflowing from his body.

Beneath the waterfall, he communicated with the Innate God, exchanging his entire body's Qi and blood for Innate Power.

According to the words of Sheng Guang Laozu, if one had the Qi and blood of multiple martial arts within their body, the Innate God would not accept them.

Over these years, Lin Chao had also been constantly consulting ancient texts.

The answer he obtained was exactly the same as what Sheng Guang Laozu had said.

However, Lin Chao still tried to communicate with the Innate God using multiple types of Qi and blood, unwilling to give up.

If he failed, he would disperse the other techniques.

Yet, what he did not expect was that he succeeded on the first try.

"Could it be that because I created this world, there are no such restrictions?

Or is there some deeper reason?"

Lin Chao pondered.

"Innate Power, this kind of strength is different from all the systems I have experienced before.

It seems... stronger, and vaguely, I always feel rejected by this world."

Lin Chao experienced the Innate Power.

Now that he had reached the Innate Realm, he could see much more than before.

He also had a greater understanding of the human body.

He examined the other Qi and blood within his body once more.

"Sure enough, these Qi and blood restrict the body and also prevent the birth of immortal arts and supernatural power."

"Are the living beings born from Ten Thousand Spirits Blood truly ordinary living beings?

Or are they, perhaps, living beings of other systems?"

Lin Chao pondered, but he was still somewhat surprised in his heart.

For example, the humans of Qiyuan World can also choose to cultivate the immortal arts of Jiuzhou.

Yet the humans of this world cannot cultivate immortal arts, nor can they walk the path of the supernatural.

"As I am now, it seems I still cannot walk the path of immortal arts, nor can I walk the path of the supernatural."

Lin Chao furrowed his brows.

To walk the path of immortal arts or the path of the supernatural, one needs to excise the Qi, blood, and Innate Power within the body.

But if he were to forcibly excise these, Lin Chao felt he would undoubtedly die.

Unless there were external forces present, with a supreme expert of immortal arts personally helping him excise them, he could return to the body he had in his past life and walk other paths.

Or perhaps... these Innate Gods might take back their Qi and blood themselves.

Of course, in Lin Chao's view, this is impossible.

The Innate Gods have likely already perished long ago.

Nowadays, the traces of their existence are within the bloodlines of the human body.

They cannot take them back.

Even if they could, they would not be willing to.

Once the humans of this world no longer have that unique Qi and blood within their bodies.

The traces of these Innate Gods' true existence will be completely erased.

"It has quite the implication of genetic continuation," Lin Chao thought, "What, then, is the kind of Qi and blood that represents me?"

After reaching the Innate Realm, Lin Chao sensed that he seemed to have nowhere further to advance.

"After the Innate Realm, it is about polishing the Innate Power, making it more refined and pure, and subsequently increasing one's strength."

The Innate Realm is equivalent to the Seventh Tier of Qiyuan World.

Further up, there are the gods.

It is very clear that this system is not about attaining a God Position.

"The lifespan increased by the Innate Realm is also nearly non-existent; at most, it maintains a youthful appearance."

Lin Chao sighed.

This path is swift, yet it holds no promise of longevity.

At least, that is how it appears now.

"I should still cultivate the other Qi and blood to fullness first, especially... the kind of Qi and blood that represents me."

Lin Chao's gaze was full of anticipation.

Perhaps, by that time, he will be able to find a method to go further.

Cultivating multiple techniques requires a lot of time.

But the thing Lin Chao lacks the least is time.

……

Fifth year of the Holy Dynasty.

The Sacred Maiden Yusu led an army of 120,000, accompanied by experts from three departments, and marched on Ji Zhou.

The Prefecture Master of Ji Zhou opened the city gates to surrender, and one of the three great barriers of Daxing was lost.

Sixth year of the Holy Dynasty.

The Sacred Maiden Yusu broke through to the Innate Realm, and Daxing was shaken.

Dragon King Mountain and Taiyi Sect announced their submission to the Holy Dynasty.

Seventh year of the Holy Dynasty.

The Saint King took 100,000 elite troops and joined forces with the Sacred Maiden Yusu for a total of 200,000, besieging the Daxing Kyoto.

The battle lasted for six months without stopping, and the city did not fall.

Seven Innate experts of Daxing sat in the imperial city, solid as a golden soup.

In the autumn of the tenth month, the Saint King entered the imperial city alone, killed two Heavenly Strategy Generals, wounded three Innate experts, and departed gracefully.

In the eleventh month, the Daxing imperial capital fell, and the Emperor of Daxing burned himself to death.

The Holy Dynasty army entered and took control of Kyoto, and the Saint King changed his title to Holy Emperor.

In the twelfth month, a heavy snow swept through Yangyue Prefecture.

The entire Yangyue Prefecture was decorated with lanterns and streamers, filled with joy.

In a tavern, martial arts heroes drank wine and chatted about the affairs of the world.

"The Holy Emperor's might covers the world; fighting five Innate experts alone, beheading two and wounding three, is truly powerful."

"The dog Emperor of Daxing is dead; we can finally live some peaceful days."

"The Holy Emperor is truly a remarkable woman, the first female emperor in history.

Furthermore, the Holy Emperor even stated that the throne will not be passed to descendants, but only to a Sacred Maiden or Sacred Son.

And the Sacred Maiden or Sacred Son shall be occupied by those with talent.

Doesn't that mean we could also be that Sacred Son, or that Holy Emperor?"

"What are you thinking? The current Sacred Maiden Yusu is an expert of the Innate Realm, peerless in elegance, and no less than the Holy Emperor.

Sacred Maiden Yusu is definitely the new generation's Holy Emperor!"

"Right, I heard Sacred Maiden Yusu is not yet married; hehe, I wonder what kind of talent could be worthy of her."

"Sacred Maiden Yusu is still a person from our Yangyue Prefecture; I even met Sacred Maiden Yusu's parents in the past."

Inside the tavern, a group of pugilistic heroes drank wine and spoke of martial arts world affairs.

In a corner, Lin Chao drank his wine, a slight warmth spreading through his body.

"I didn't expect that after coming out of seclusion again, so many major events have occurred in the world."

Lin Chao drank his wine, sighing inwardly.

He had once again experienced the replacement of a dynasty.

However, this time, he was merely an outsider.

For so many years, Lin Chao had been cultivating bitterly in the deep mountains.

He had finally broken through another type of blood-energy and achieved the Innate realm.

However, deducing new cultivation techniques is time-consuming and laborious, especially regarding the type of blood-Qi technique he himself represents; he still has no leads on it to this day.

Therefore, Lin Chao came out of the deep mountains.

Deducing techniques himself—how could that be faster than taking existing ones?

"The Holy Dynasty collects the world's martial arts and stores them in Weiyang Palace; this is my opportunity."

While the Holy Light Sect deals with Daxing, it has also been continuously collecting the world's martial arts.

This is something Lin Chao knows.

Back then, Sheng Guang Laozu even took several techniques from his hands; I fear these techniques are also kept in Weiyang Palace.

If he goes to Weiyang Palace, he can see various martial arts, saving the time of creating various martial arts himself.

Moreover, perhaps he might even find a technique that represents his own martial arts.

However, there is a problem with this.

"Old acquaintances... should I see them or not?"

Lin Chao looked at his still-youthful face and finally let out a sigh.

Better not to see them.

"Waiter, bring wine." Lin Chao spoke softly.

"Coming right up." The waiter carried a jar of wine and placed it on Lin Chao's table.

Lin Chao drank his wine.

This martial arts world, this world, ultimately has nothing to do with him.

Two months later.

Kyoto.

Su Yuchun looked at the ten martial artists before him and said: "Weiyang Palace stores the martial arts of the world.

The Holy Emperor collects the world's martial arts solely to explore the secrets of martial arts.

You are all famous veterans of the martial arts world with unique insights into martial arts.

I trouble you all to reside in Weiyang Palace and explore the secrets of martial arts.

By the way, the Holy Emperor and Her Highness the Sacred Maiden often come to Weiyang Palace to consult martial arts; do not disturb the Holy Emperor and the Sacred Maiden."

"As you command."

These ten men and women were all famous martial arts experts in the pugilistic world; perhaps their strength was not great, but their research into martial arts was extremely deep, belonging to the category of research-oriented talent.

After the Holy Emperor collected the world's martial arts and stored them in Weiyang Palace, she recruited the wise and capable, gathering all kinds of talent who researched martial arts.

Lin Chao changed his appearance, disguising himself as the Long-lived Hermit of Zhuangshan.

He simply showed off a skill, modifying a martial arts technique, and subsequently gained the opportunity to enter Weiyang Palace, mingling among these ten people.

"You all may enter." Su Yuchun said.

Led by guards, the group headed toward the depths of Weiyang Palace.

At this moment, a man in red armor approached, a cold expression on his face.

"Half of these ten martial arts world figures likely have unknown backgrounds."

Su Yuchun did not care at all: "The Holy Emperor said, do not ask about their backgrounds, only seek results."

The man in red armor frowned: "The Holy Emperor collects the world's martial arts and finds these people; what exactly does she want to do?"

"Do not ask what you should not ask; we just need to do what the Holy Emperor orders." Su Yuchun said, his sharpness now restrained, no longer as exposed as it once was.

The man in red armor glanced sideways at Su Yuchun: "Yesterday, Minister of Rites Wang Fan submitted a memorial stating that the Sacred Maiden is at the age for marriage, but was rejected by the Holy Emperor."

A bitter smile appeared on Su Yuchun's face: "They want the Holy Emperor to marry.

Unfortunately, the Holy Emperor is so brilliant; the dynasty is but a plaything in her hands, so how could she care about worldly views?"

"Could it be that the inheritance of the Holy Dynasty relies on the Holy Son and Sacred Maiden?" A playful smile appeared in the eyes of the man in red armor.

Such a thing has never happened since ancient times.

"Life is but a hundred years; why should we worry about matters after we are gone?" Su Yuchun became carefree.

"Brother Su, congratulations to you, you are finally getting married."

"I must leave an heir for my Su Family, must I not?"

"Haha."

Inside Weiyang Palace.

Lin Chao committed this martial art called Cuiduan Hand to memory.

The number of martial arts stored in Weiyang Palace is vast.

However, many of these martial arts actually activate the same type of blood-Qi, just using different methods.

Having been here for three days, Lin Chao has memorized quite a few martial arts techniques.

Beside him, an old man leaned in: "Chang Sheng Sanren, what is the meaning of this cultivation technique?"

"This is a typo," Lin Chao pointed out casually.

"Chang Sheng Sanren is truly as knowledgeable as they say," the old man smiled.

Lin Chao gave a grunt of acknowledgement.

Every day, he stayed in Weiyang Palace, reading cultivation techniques.

Of course, he would also set aside a small portion of his time to research and complete the tasks of the Holy Dynasty.

"I will stay for a while longer to memorize all the cultivation techniques here."

Even for techniques that activate the same blood-Qi, there is a difference in the speed of cultivation.

Lin Chao naturally wanted the ones that were faster to cultivate, so that he could then further perfect them.

Only in this way could he cultivate faster and save more time.

Longevity does not mean one can waste time.

"The Holy Emperor has arrived."

Just then, a loud voice rang out.

Lin Chao immediately held his breath and stood to one side.

In all the days he had been at Weiyang Palace, this was the first time the Holy Emperor had come here.

Outside the main hall of Weiyang Palace, the Holy Emperor was dressed in magnificent robes, his aura noble.

Yusu stood behind the Holy Emperor, slightly offset by half a step.

"Yusu, now that the world is settled, there is no more war.

During this time, you shall remain in Weiyang Palace and commit all the martial arts you need to memory."

"This disciple understands," Yusu replied; she wore a light purple cross-collared long dress with a white silk ribbon tied at her waist, accentuating her slender figure, and she carried a faint air of nobility.

Thanks to Zitong for the tip.

(End of chapter)